Bible study: Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7
The Leviticus is one of the books that is part of the Pentateuch, along with Genesis, Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In the Exodus, Moses declares the commandments of the old covenant. The Leviticus is a continuation and expands the duties of the ancient religion, constituting the "Law of Holiness". In this book we see teachings that will later be repeated in the New Testament: "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God.", Leviticus 20:7; in the New Testament we see this expression from the Leviticus: "Be holy because I am holy", 1 Peter 1:16; "Be merciful just as your Father is merciful", Luke 6:36; "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect", Matthew 5:48.
Another teaching found in Leviticus will be taken up by Jesus: "´Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.´ ´Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.´", Leviticus 19:17-18.
Jesus expresses this Leviticus teaching in this way: "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself". All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22: 34-40.
The Law of Holiness includes numerous moral and ritual prescriptions that will later become the basis of Christianity and the concept of spiritual holiness. This ancient code describes and prohibits evil acts and enunciates acts oriented towards God and the good; establishing rewards and punishments similar to the Sermon on the Mount.
For more information visit my profile follow the link and download for free my ebook.